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The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) has released its latest rankings for convenience stores, revealing a surprising shift where Michigan-based Meijer now tops the list with an ACSI score of 82 out of 100, surpassing Buc-ee’s which dropped to fourth place. Meijer's success is attributed to its mPerks loyalty program and extensive store network across six Midwestern states, while also offering express locations for quick stops. The rankings are based on customer surveys evaluating various factors including food quality, cleanliness, employee courtesy, and efficiency.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In a surprising turn, Meijer has been named America's favorite convenience store for 2026 by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), surpassing previously top-ranked Buc-ee’s. Operating in six Midwestern states with plans to expand into Pennsylvania, Meijer runs over 500 convenience and grocery stores. The retailer attributes its success largely to the mPerks loyalty program, which helped customers save nearly $200 million last year through coupons and fuel discounts. Additionally, about 244 express locations provide quick-stop services for travelers. Meijer’s score of 82 out of 100 marks a significant improvement from its 2025 rating of 76, making it the largest single-year increase in the ACSI rankings. The index is based on surveys from 9,475 customers evaluating various aspects like food quality, cleanliness, and employee courtesy.
Written for “Buccees Ranking Drops” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
In a shocking shift, the American Customer Satisfaction Index’s (ACSI’s) latest convenience store rankings show beloved Buc-ee’s taking a tumble in customer rankings — while a surprising superstore rises to the top.
asserted
superstore → show → top
America’s favorite convenience store for 2026 is Meijer, a Michigan-headquartered retailer -—beating out more than two dozen convenience stores evaluated by the index.
asserted
store → headquarter → index
Meijer operates 500 convenience and grocery stores across six Midwestern states, with plans to expand into Pennsylvania.
asserted
Meijer → operate → Pennsylvania
A big reason for Meijer’s jump on the list is its mPerks loyalty program, where customers saved nearly $200 million through the coupons and fuel discounts.
asserted
customers → save → coupons
Most Meijer locations have 24-hour access, with about 244 express locations designed for quick-stop needs on the go.
asserted
locations → have → go
Meijer received a score of 82 out of 100 on the ACSI, improving from its score of 76 in 2025 — the largest jump in the study.
asserted
Meijer → receive → study
The rankings were based on 9,475 customer surveys collected regarding each store in various categories, including food quality and cleanliness.
asserted
rankings → base → quality
And most importantly, coffee quality was one of the surveyed criteria.
asserted
quality → survey → criteria
“We are honored to be recognized by customers as the top convenience store brand in the U.S.,” Meijer said to The Post, attributing the honor to their mPerks rewards program and Meijer Express stations, which they say are extremely accessible when fueling on the road.
asserted
they → honor → road
Second place was a three-way tie with QuikTrip, Sheetz and Wawa — each scoring 80.
asserted
each → score → 80
Kwik Trip, last year’s winner, fell to third place and tied with Murphy USA.
asserted
Trip → fall → USA
Buc-ee’s found itself in 4th place tied with four other convenience stores, each scoring a 77 out of 100.
asserted
each → find → 100
Buc-ee’s dropped ranking comes as a shock because of its cult following – its Reddit channel is described as being made to “celebrate the best gas station in all the lands.”
asserted
channel → drop → lands
Average scores for all stores show customers’ view of convenience stores as a whole, with high average scores on hours open and locations, along with checkout speed and food.
asserted
scores → show → speed
Ratings suggest that stores’ mobile apps are generally not useful to customers and low scores were given for cleanliness of stores and bathrooms.
asserted
scores → suggest → stores
It was also found that food sales in convenience stores increased to account for more than 28% of convenience stores’ sales.
asserted
sales → find → sales
The report found that 15% of prepared-food visits involve consumers choosing a convenience store instead of a quick-service restaurant.
asserted
consumers → find → store
“Retailers such as Sheetz, Wawa, Casey’s, Kwik Trip, and others have invested heavily in food quality and menu expansion, which continues to reshape customer perceptions of the category,” the ACSI said.
asserted
ACSI → invest → category
ACSI’s report added that convenience stores have “expanded their role in consumers’ lives” with broader food offerings for customers.
asserted
stores → add → customers
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